Reports told that Toyota Motor Corporation is ending sales of the Camry executive midsize sedan in Japan after 43 years and the next generation model will be sold only overseas. It's another sad day in the Japanese automotive industry as the long list of Japanese cars discontinued in Japan but active overseas is expanding with Toyota's recent announcement of axing the C-HR and the Camry in their lineup with no successors in sight.
As Japan says goodbye to the Toyota Camry, the midsize sedan that changed the rules and upset the world, especially in NASCAR, it's time for a quick history lesson with the Toyota Camry.
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| The 10th-generation Toyota Camry, launched in 2017, will be the last Camry sold in Japan. |
First Generation (1980-1982) - The first-generation Camry was known as the Celica Camry when it was launched in January 1980. It's the four-door version of the second-generation Toyota Celica because it runs on the same nook and cranny as the second-generation Celica. The Celica Camry was powered by a choice of a 1.6L, 1.8L, and 2.0L petrol engine.
Second Generation (1982-1986) - No longer Celica-based, the second-generation Camry runs on the same mechs as the first-generation Toyota Vista. This model transitioned into a front-wheel-drive model, making it Toyota's first horizontal-engine front-wheel-drive car. Initially offered with a 1.8L petrol engine, the second-generation Camry was expanded with a choice of a 2.0L petrol and two diesel engines, a 1.8 and a 2.0 variant.
Third Generation (1986-1990) - The third-generation Camry was launched in the summer of 1986 and it features contemporary styling akin to its big brother, the Mark II. The 2.0L petrol engine features Toyota's first Hi-Mecha TwinCam specification. This generation marks the first time it was produced outside Japan as Toyota Australia began production of this model in 1987 at its Victoria plant in Melbourne. Holden even borrowed one for the Apollo sedan as well. In the same year, the four-door hardtop Prominent model was offered.
Fourth Generation (1990-1994) - The fourth-generation Camry was launched in the summer of 1990 and this model features styling inspired by the Celsior flagship sedan.
Fifth Generation (1994-1998) - The fifth-generation Camry was launched in the summer of 1994 and it features a boxier shape and styling inspired by the Crown. The Prominent variant is no longer offered in this generation. It features a choice of a 4S-FE, a 3S-FE, and a 3C-TE diesel engine while mated to a choice of a 4-speed automatic and a five-speed manual.
Sixth Generation (1996-2001) - At the end of 1996, the Camry Gracia was launched in sedan and estate variants. The Gracia is the luxury alternative to the Camry and it served as the replacement for both the Camry Prominent and the US-built Scepter. With the fifth-generation Camry's production ending in the summer of 1998, the Camry Gracia took its place and it was known as the sixth-generation Camry when it was facelifted in 1999. This is the last Camry to have a V6 engine offered in the Japanese market. A year later, Daihatsu sold the Toyota Camry as the Altis.
Seventh Generation (2001-2006) - The seventh-generation Camry was launched in late September 2001, marking the first Camry of the 21st century. The seventh-generation model now runs on the K Platform used by its Windom relative. The V6 engine is gone and the only engine offered is a 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine mated to a 4-speed automatic.
Eighth Generation (2006-2011) - The eighth-generation Camry was launched at the end of January 2006, and this model features a sharp-looking exterior design. The 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine was carried over from the previous model but it saw its power bumped to 167PS.
Ninth Generation (2011-2017) - The ninth-generation Camry, launched in the autumn of 2011, is now a hybrid-only saloon and the first hybrid saloon from Toyota to introduce the 2AR-FXE hybrid powertrain that saw its 2.5L DOHC Dual VVT-i engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery.
Tenth Generation (2017-2023) - The tenth-generation Toyota Camry was launched in the summer of 2017 and it now runs on the TNGA platform. Like the previous model, it's offered only as a hybrid and it features a brand new 2.5L A25A-FXS petrol engine mated to an 88kW electric motor and at long last, a Li-ion battery, resulting in a combined power output of 211PS of power, and with a CVT standard, fuel efficiency varies by 28.4 to 33.4km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards. With sales of the Camry ending in Japan at the end of 2023, the 10th-generation Camry will be the last Camry sold in Japan.
It's a real shame that the Toyota Camry will be joining the list of Japanese cars discontinued in Japan but active overseas. As Toyota prepares the next-generation Camry, it would be best not to bother it because this is the first time the next-generation Camry will not be available in Japan. Another telltale sign Japan is becoming more of a pariah state when it comes to world cars.
Rest in pieces, Toyota Camry. You will be dearly missed.
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